NDC GAINS ADDITIONAL SEAT IN PARLIAMENT

UNCLAS ACCRA 001040

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR AF/W

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM KWMN GH
SUBJECT: NDC GAINS ADDITIONAL SEAT IN PARLIAMENT


1. (SBU) Summary/Comment: The ruling National Democratic Congress
(NDC) won the Chereponi by-election September 29, taking a seat that
had been held by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). By
winning this Northern Ghana constituency, the NDC increased its
majority in parliament to 116 seats out of 230, with the NPP now
holding 107. While there was some pre-election violence between NPP
and NDC supporters, voting took place among heavy security and
voting occurred without disruption. However, party leaders have yet
to demonstrate a willingness to seriously address the issue of
violence among their grassroots activists. The Chereponi seat had
been held by a female MP, and this election reduces women's
representation in Parliament to 19. The ruling NDC is especially
weak in terms of female representation, with only four women MPs out
of 116. End Summary/Comment.


2. (U) The Chereponi by-election followed the death of NPP MP Doris
Asibi Seidu in August 2009. The new MP is Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite,
a teacher and social worker. He received 8,239 votes, representing
51.25% of the total votes cast, while Abubakar Aminu Gariba of the
NPP recorded 7,416 votes, 46.13% of the votes. Voter turnout was
71.28%.


3. (U) There were several incidents of pre-election violence between
supporters of the NDC and the NPP in some parts of the constituency,
resulting in injuries. However, a heavy police and military
presence limited further violence.


4. (SBU) NDC officials told us that they are pleased with the
result. They described the pre-election violence as a provocation
by the NPP. In contrast, NPP General Secretary Nana Ohene Ntow told
us October 1 that NPP voters were deliberately intimidated by NDC
thugs and prevented from freely casting their votes. Despite the
defeat, he said the strong second place showing reinforces the fact
that the NPP remains a major political force even in opposition. An
official of the People's National Convention (PNC),which received
only 1% of the votes, said that the two main parties have an
overwhelming advantage in terms of access to resources, presenting a
major challenge for small parties.


5. (U) The Chereponi seat had been held by a female MP, and this
by-election reduces the number of women in Parliament to 19, six
fewer that the number of women in the last parliament. While there
had been pressure on the two main parties to select female
candidates for this seat, neither party chose to do so. The ruling
NDC is especially weak in terms of female representation, with only
4 women among its 116 MPs.

Furuta-Toy